Medicated tampon.



No. 812,770. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906. E. M. POND. MEDIGATED TAMPON.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1904.

UN TED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application 1115a September 12, 1904. Serial No. 224,131.

a resident of Rutland, county of Rutland, and

State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMedicated Tampons, of which the following is a specification. Myinvention relates generally to improvements in medicated tampons, andmore specifically consists of an improved form of tam on forintra-uterine or intestinal use.

The characteristic feature of the preferred form of apparatus embodyingmy invention is shown in several modified arrangements in theaccompanying sheet of drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a longitudinalsection of a tampon constructed in accordance with my invention. Figs.2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are similar views of modifications comprising solublecasin s. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views of modi cations comprisingretaining-buttons.

Throughout the drawings like referencefigures indicate like parts.

1 is a strip of woven fabric, preferably antiseptic or medicated gauze,usually folded upon itself, as shown, and embedded or confined in thetampon. This tampon may be formed of a body of medicated and solublematerial molded into shape about the gauze, as shown at 2 in Fig. 1, orit may consist of a soluble casing 3, medicated or not, and one or morebodies of medicated material, as shown at 4,5,6, and 7 in Figs. 2 to 6.In Fig.

, 2 the casing 3 is closed by a cap 3 at its lower end, the medicatedmaterial 4 being in the upper end of the casing. In Fig. 3 the casing isclosed by a cap 3* at its upper end, and the medicated material is shownat 5 in the lower end. In Fig. 4 medicated material is shown at each endin a solid format 5 and in a liquid form at 9, retained by the diaphragm8, extendin across the end of the casing 3. In Fig. 5 t e medicatedmaterial is shown inserted in the upper end of the casing in the shapeof a plug 6. The open end of the casing is here shown strengthened by aring 15 of the same or similar material, which may be continued to forma'diaphragm 14 of convex or other cup shape. The plug 6 is insertedinside of this ring. In 6 the medicated material is shown in the lowerend in the shape of a plu 7 and in the upper end in the shape of a bo yof loose material 4. In

this form the plug acts as a cap. The medicated material may be used ingranular, liquid, or plastic form, as shown in the drawings, or in otherlocations, according to re quirements.

In Figs. 1 to 6 the withdrawal-string 10 is shown attached to the wovenfabric, preferably at one end thereof. When plugs 6 0r 7 are used, aprotecting and cementing film of material 13 may be formed by dippingthe ends in a bath of such material.

In Fig. 7 a retaining-button 11 at the lower end of the tampon isattached to the Woven fabric 1 and preferably to the lower end thereof.When made sufficiently slender, the tampon may be curved after softeningby dipping in warm water. In Fig. 8 said button 11 is shown located at ashort distance away and connected to the fabric 1 by a length of doubledcord 12, which passes through the body of medicated material 7. The twoends 16 and 17 of this doubled cord can be used to pull the button upinto position after the tampon is. in place and to retain it there byknotting them or tying them together. In this and other forms thestrengthening-ring 15 and diaphragm 14 can be used, and in this andother forms the casing may be made with perforations 18 to hasten itsdissolution when in use by permit-. ting access to its interior by themoisture of the body.

The modeof operation of my invention is as follows: Upon insertion inthe uterus or intestines or other cavity for which they may be designedthe containing-body 2 or casing 0 3 dissolves and the strip of fabric 1expands lengthwise and distributes the medicated material along thecavity. This result is brought about in the structure shown in thedrawings by doubling the fabric u on itself 5 in folds extendingtransversely of t e axis of the tam on. When the medicated material isplace at the lower end of the tampon to treat the mouth of the cavityand immediately-adjacent parts, the gauze serves as a packing also toprotect the medicated material from the matter which accumulates in thecavity from the operations of nature. The retaining-buttons 11,remaining outside the mouth of the cavity, serve to limit the in- 10 5ward movement of the dissolving tampon and as a means of withdrawal. Thearrangement shown in Fig. 8 is particularly adapted to treatment of theanus and the form shown in Fig. 7 for treatment of the uterus. 4 1 1o Itis evident that various changes could be made in the details ofarrangement of the parts Without departing from thespirit and scope ofmy invention, so long as the characterlstic principle of operation bepreserved.

Having therefore described my invention, I claim 1. A tam on comprisinga iece of Woven fabric doub ed u on itself in olds extendingtransversely of t e axis of the tam on and a body of soluble medicatedmateria together with a casing of soluble material containing said Wovenfabric and medicated material.

2, A tam on comprising a iece of Woven fabric doubl ed u on itself in fdlds extending transversely of t e axis of the tam on and a body ofsoluble medicated materia together With a casing of soluble materialcontaining said woven fabric and medicated material and a removable capat one end of the casing. 20

3. A medicated tampon. comprising a closed casing of soluble materialconsisting of a soluble shell closed at one end and provided With a capfitting over the other end, a body of medicated material located in one25 end of said casing in immediate contact with the Walls thereof, and apacking of fibrous material occupying the remaining space of suchcasing.

Signed at Rutland, Vermont, this 6th day 0 of September, 1904.

EDMUND MORSE POND.

